Ashoka Chakra

The Ashoka Chakra is a depiction of the Dharmachakra, the Wheel of Dharma (Sanskrit: Chakra means wheel). The wheel has 24 spokes. It symbolizes the teachings of the Buddha.The Ashoka Chakra has been widely inscribed on many relics of the Mauryan Emperor Ashoka The Great, most prominent among which is the Lion Capital of Sarnath and The Ashoka Pillar.

The Ashoka Chakra is an Indian military decoration awarded for valor, courageous action or self-sacrifice away from the battlefield. It is the peace time equivalent of the Param Vir Chakra, and is awarded for the "most conspicuous bravery or some daring or pre-eminent valour or self-sacrifice" other than in the face of the enemy. The decoration may be awarded either to military or civilian personnel and may be awarded posthumously.

The most visible use of the Ashoka Chakra today is at the centre of the National flag of the Republic of India (adopted on 22 July 1947), where it is rendered in a Navy-blue color on a White background, by replacing the symbol of Charkha of the pre-independence versions of the flag. Ashoka Chakra can also been seen on the base of Lion Capital of Ashoka which has been adopted as the National Emblem of India.